Fire 'covering miles' of moors above Bolton

The fire was burning on the moors between Bolton and Chorley

About 80 firefighters from across Lancashire and Greater Manchester have been involved in tackling a blaze on the moors above Bolton.

Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service were called to reports of the fire in Belmont, near Bolton, at 1005 BST.

Smoke from the fire, which is covering an area of several square miles, was blown towards Chorley.

Firefighters were expected to remain at the scene for most of Friday, said spokesman Richard Edney.

About 18 appliances, including all-terrain vehicles, attended the scene of the fire.

'Largest fire'

Firefighters used flame beaters and jets to contain the fire and keep it away from farm buildings, Mr Edney said.

"It's proving quite difficult to contain at the moment due to the wind," he said earlier on Friday.

"The wind is quite heavy and fast up there - it keeps changing direction.

"It's one of the largest moorland fires we've had this year and certainly in the last couple of years."

Lancashire Police closed the A675 over Belmont because of the fire, but it has since reopened.